Opinion: School closure decisions are difficult, but must be made now

As former AISD trustees, we can appreciate the tough decisions involved with the current School Changes process. No one ever wants to close a school.

The need to “right-size” the district and invest in what it takes to provide all students with a 21st-century education is real, and it can’t be kicked down the road as tomorrow’s problem. Our students’ futures depend on the current board and administration making hard but strategic and vital choices today. Choices that must be made with compassion, understanding and student achievement at the center of everything — but nevertheless, choices that must be made now.

When it comes to closing a school’s doors, no district process for analysis or community dialogue will ever be perfect. And though the current School Changes process may seem imperfect, it is far more thoughtful, intentional and strategic than AISD’s past efforts in 2010 and 2006. Several of the proposed changes will directly benefit students, families and educators districtwide. Others will lift up student populations that have been underserved far too long. Many will help our students compete for the future. Our community has before us a plan that can make a meaningful difference.

We know what school closures and consolidations can mean to affected communities, principals, teachers, parents and most importantly, to students. It’s a decision not to be made lightly, and any trustee taking that vote would do so with great reluctance.

However, today we are faced with a system where we have too many aging schools with too many empty seats. When tax dollars have to pay for costly and inefficient buildings, that means fewer dollars can be dedicated to classroom instruction — and that puts all students at risk of not being prepared for a global economy that can quickly pass them by.

Right here in our own city, entire industries are being reshaped in ways that we never imagined even five years ago. Educating our children means preparing them with critical thinking skills for a changing world. And it takes instilling in each child the confidence and emotional intelligence to overcome any challenge as they pursue their personal and professional goals and dreams. When we look to the future, we see a learning environment in Austin’s schools that must evolve for the 21st century.

But because the decision to close any school has been delayed time and again, the district has fallen behind. Declining enrollment has now resulted in the real challenge of limited resources going toward under-utilized and outdated infrastructure. Resources that are better invested in highly qualified and well-compensated teachers; modernized campuses and innovative programs, spaces and services that will enrich the learning experience of students across the district. To achieve this, we believe closing one or more aging and costly schools is truly the responsible and forward-looking decision, even if politically unpopular.

Today, in 2019, the status quo no longer works, and delay is not an option if we are to realize the individual talents of every student and prepare them to compete in a global economy — or even our highly competitive job market right here in Austin. Contrary to what some have said, this process is not happening too fast. In this fast-paced world, the process may not be happening fast enough.

We are joined in support by our former board of trustees colleagues Christine Brister, John Fitzpatrick, former board president Kathy Rider and Ingrid Taylor.

We strongly encourage the current AISD board to act. As past board members, we support and trust them as our community’s elected representatives to make the hard closure decisions ahead and reinvest resources with a bright future for every student in their hearts and minds.

Valdez and Williams are former AISD board presidents.